Disability Support Services

Disability Support Services

The George Washington University believes in the equality of people, the value of individual differences and the boundless potential of the human spirit. Disability Support Services (DSS) ensures full participation by everyone in the GW communit to derive the greatest benefit from their educational experiences and attain maximum personal success.

DSS currently oversees services for more than 700 GW students with a range of disabilities, including students temporarily disabled by injury or illness. To be eligible, a student must provide DSS with documentation that substantiates the need for such services in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA. Services provided without charge may include registration assistance, readers, interpreters, scribes, individualized learning specialist support, adaptive materials and equipment, assistance with note taking, laboratory and library assistance, and test accommodations. DSS does not provide content tutoring, although it is available through the GW Tutoring Initiative. The University does not provide or pay for transportation services or personal attendant care.

GW Tutoring Initiative

Need a tutor or want to help other students?  The GW Tutoring Initiative helps every student get the support they need for academic success.  Through the program, every student receives 10 free hours of tutoring each semester.

Career Services

GW’s Career Center is an incomparable university resource that supports students as they explore potential careers, take part in learning activities, develop skills and transfer classroom lesson into real world experiences. The Career Center works to make sense of the current labor market, identify career trends and suggest career strategies.

The center’s comprehensive career services and cooperative education and employment services are available to connect students and alumni to employers.  It also builds links between students and alumni who can extend networking and employment opportunities. While the GW Career Center serves the majority of undergraduates, graduate students and alumni, some schools and colleges are served by their school-based career services departments:

The Career Center is not just for students seeking employment after graduation. We support students using Federal Work-Study awards or those in cooperative education programs. We open doors for internships or part-time jobs during school. And we help students explore career options. Our workshops, Career Resource Room, consulting, resume critiquing, special events and programs and other services help GW students acquire the success skills they need for the current job market – and throughout their careers.

Career Center services include:

  • Professional career consultants
  • Specialized career development programs and events
  • Extensive online job and internship listings
  • Library of career resources
  • Practical Cooperative Education (Coop) career opportunities to supplement classroom learning
  • Career Fairs and other employer activities
  • On-campus recruitment programs for students and recent alumni.

 

Health Services

Student Health Service

The Student Health Service is an outpatient clinic staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Students can be evaluated and treated for most medical problems. Psychiatrists are on staff to provide initial evaluation and referral and crisis intervention.

All currently registered full-time and part-time students enrolled in a degree program at The George Washington University are eligible for services at SHS. Non-degree-seeking students registered for at least 12 hours of academic credit in the current semester are also eligible. Students must present their GWorld card each time they visit the SHS.

University Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center (UCC) offers a broad range of counseling, crisis, academic, and career services, psychoeducational workshops and web-based materials to support and enhance the experience of students enrolled at GW.

Confidential short-term individual counseling and group counseling are provided to manage personal concerns that may be interfering with college or graduate school life. “24/7” crisis intervention is available at times of critical student need. The UCC also provides alcohol/drug screening through interview and psychoeducational substance use groups. Students who require or desire services beyond our limits are provided with appropriate community-based referrals.

Immunization Requirements

D.C. Law requires that all students under the age of 26 have a record on file with the Student Health Service documenting immunity to measles, mumps, and Rubella Varicella, a current tetanus/diphtheria booster, a Hepatitis series, and a Meningococcal meningitis vaccine or waiver. This requirement applies to all students regardless of their programs of study or degree status. Immunization forms are sent out by the GW Admissions Office and can be downloaded from the Student Health Web site. The Student Health Service can provide all inoculations for a small fee.

Student Health Insurance

The George Washington University is pleased to offer the Student Health Insurance Plan through Aetna Student Health. This plan is voluntary for most students, while other students are required to carry health insurance from their choice of providers.

Registration & Financial Services

Colonial Central is the financial and registration solution center for GW parents and students. Colonial Central brings the offices of Student Financial Assistance, Student Accounts and the Cashier together in a one-stop setting that prides itself on friendly service. Colonial Central eliminates the need for students to visit multiple offices for financial services.

The experienced Colonial Central staff can assist you or your student in-person, by telephone or via e-mail. You can also use our convenient self-service kiosks on campus or access our services online anytime.

Colonial Central is your source for:

Registrar Services

  • Privacy Releases
  • Confidentiality Requests
  • Transcript Requests
  • Enrollment Certifications
  • Registration Questions
  • Registration Transactions

If you need additional registration assistance, please visit the Office of the Registrar.

Cashier Services

  • Tuition and Fee Payments
  • Loan Check Endorsements
  • Emergency Loan Disbursements
  • Notary Services
  • Student Check-cashing Services

Student Accounts Services

  • General Student Account Information
  • Payment Plan Information
  • Financial Hold Resolutions
  • Refund Request Processing
  • Book Vouchers

Student Financial Assistance Services

  • General Financial Aid Counseling and Information
  • Loan Application and Information
  • Perkins Loan Processing
  • Emergency Loan Processing
  • Scholarship and Grant Processing
  • Work-study Eligibility
  • VA Benefits General Questions

For more information about financial aid, please visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

GWorld Satellite Office Services

  • Student GWorld
  • New and Replacement Cards
  • Colonial Cash Deposits
  • Dining Program Information
  • Colonial Cash Partner Lists
  • Suspend a Lost or Stolen GWorld Card

For more information about GWorld, please visit the GWorld Card Office.

Veterans Services

  • General Student Veteran Resource Information
  • Veterans Benefits Information
  • Veterans Affairs Certification

University Services

The George Washington University is a multifaceted institution serving a diverse community of students, faculty and staff, as well as parents and alumni. GW has an array of offices and departments responsible for services that enable members of our community to focus on their academic pursuits.

Service Excellence Advisory Council

Service Excellence is a well-established feature of the mission of the George Washington University. GW employees participate in a community of learning dedicated to communication, respect, service and teamwork. GW supports the pursuit of creative solutions that reinforce a culture of service to each other in a sustained quest for service excellence.

Registration & Financial Services

GW offers a one-stop locations on campus and online for the most frequently requested services including registration, financial aid and tuition.

Health Services

Student health and well-being is a GW priority. Most medical problems are evaluated and treated through outpatient clinical services provided by physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. In these friendly, comfortable and professional settings, students can be seen by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Additionally, health education and outreach programs are provided throughout the year.

Career Services

Career services are a valuable part of the GW experience. Both through individual schools and the GW Career Center, students are given the support they need to determine the academic preparation and career options awaiting them. Students can take part in experiential learning activities, develop new skills and put classroom lessons into real world practice.

Technology Services

The Division of Information Technology (IT) works with students, faculty, staff, and departments across the university to provide advanced technology. From wireless on campus, Internet and phone connections in offices and residence halls, to software that supports admissions, online registration, and other aspects of day-to-day business, the Division of IT keeps GW connected.

Academic Technologies (AT) identifies, develops, implements, and supports a variety of innovative technology for the enrichment of the academic experience at GW. Through specialized services such as Blackboard, the GW Mobile app, ColonialCast Lecture Capture, and classroom technology support, AT strives to advance GW’s enterprise goals for the university community.

Cultural Services

GW fosters a climate of cultural, racial, religious, ethnic, social and intellectual diversity that is marked by cross-cultural understanding. The centers for Multicultural Student Services and International Services sit at the forefront of this rich cultural community, supporting co-curricular academic initiatives and programming, traditional student-life services and community building.

Human Resources & Careers at GW

Joining GW gives you the benefits you want, the opportunities to grow, professional development to turn a job into a career, and the unique experiences associated with our locations and culture.

Arts & Culture

GW sits in the heart of one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities. The university is proud of the visual and performing arts that are prominent in our academic programs and in campus life.

Students are encouraged to explore their academic and creative interests in the arts. They can use university studios and practice spaces; work one-on-one with innovative and distinguished faculty members, many of whom are artists themselves; and join in D.C.’s artistic life. Washington is home to many of our nation’s most important museums, stages, libraries, centers for performing arts and arts organizations. Each year, the departments of fine arts, music, and theater and dance award scholarships to deserving entering freshmen. The Presidential Scholars in the Arts Program identifies students with promise in fine arts, music, acting, technical theater, dance and choreography.

The GW community is alive with art and culture. The Department of Theatre & Dance present six theater and dance main-stage productions each year, and campus is abuzz with numerous other university-sponsored music performances. Student-run groups and local professional ensembles offer additional outlets for artistic expression on and around campus.

GW’s Lisner Auditorium on the Foggy Bottom campus is the second largest performance venue in the city, with acts and appearances ranging from Betty White to Salmon Rushdie, and Flamenco Festivals to Al Gore. GW students are fortunate to have the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Corcoran Gallery of Art just blocks from campus. The National Gallery of Art and other major museums and galleries are nearby.

On-Campus Performance Venues

GW Art Galleries

Voice Ensembles

Improv and Theater Groups

Dance Groups

Instrumental Ensembles

Commencement Contact

Please contact the Office of University Events for information regarding Commencement events.

Phone: 202-994-7129

E-mail: commencement@gwu.edu

Service & Engagement

Freshman Day of Service

GW has a strong history of commitment to public service, volunteering and making a positive impact on the lives of others at a local, national and international level.

The Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service provides students with a central place to become involved in community service, find resources for funding their projects and becoming a life-long volunteer.  From getting involved in D.C. schools to Alternative Breaks in to volunteer abroad, the center is your source for service.

Annual volunteering events include:

  • Freshman Day of Service
  • Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
  • Adopt-A-Family
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
  • Earth Day
  • Celebration of Service

Additionally, GW students are some of the most engaged in career service as well.  Since 2008, the university has ranked first among medium-sized universities graduating Peace Corps Volunteers.

Seeing Symbols of the University’s Heritage & Prestige

The Seal, Mace and Coat of Arms are symbols of the University that you can see at GW cornerstone events including Freshman Convocation and Commencement.